The casino industry has jumped into presidential politics.

The American Gaming Association has initiated a lobbying effort it calls Gaming Votes that will include events in key swing states such as Ohio.

The goal is to educate the industry’s 1.7 million employees about who is running and where they stand on gaming-related issues. And inform the presidential candidates about what’s important to the gaming industry.

“The industry has changed a lot,” said AGA spokesman Chris Moyer. “There used to be casinos in only a few states and now they’re in 40 states. The goal is to insure the candidates know the major issues we face on the federal level, such as immigration, tax and patent reform. They all affect gaming.”

The lobbying efforts will include videos that highlight all the different jobs in the gaming industry and the economic contributions to local communities.

“This is the first-of-its-kind effort from the association,” Moyer said.